Accoya Wood

Product Description

Accoya wood is a sustainable treated fast-grown softwood that will last longer than traditional hardwoods. It is therefore a more environmentally friendly alternative to hardwood timber. Accoya wood is highly rot-resistant and very stable across varying climates. Containing no toxic substances as the process simply increases the levels of already present elements within the molecular structure of the wood.

Every piece of Accoya has been modified through to its core, providing the same performance and protection no matter how the wood is cut, planed, drilled, shaped, or more…

Accoya wood begins life in sustainably managed forests in New Zealand as a tree species called Radiata Pine. These forests are all FSC approved. The Radiata Pine is fast-growing and is shipped to the Netherlands for the modification process.

The technology behind Accoya is based on acetylation, a process that has been studied by scientists around the world for more than 75 years. This method of improving wood has been proven to deliver such superior performance that it has long been used as the “gold standard” against which other methods are measured.

Basically pickled pine. Acetylation effectively changes the free hydroxyls within the wood into acetyl groups. This is done by reacting the wood with acetic anhydride, which comes from acetic acid. When the free hydroxyl group is transformed to an acetyl group, the ability of the wood to absorb water is greatly reduced, rendering the wood more dimensionally stable and, because it is no longer digestible, extremely durable.

This process is forced throughout the body of the wood, so when Accoya® wood is cut or jointed there are no exposed non-acetylated surfaces in any dimension. This completely negates the need to apply additional chemical preservatives on-site, as is necessary with unmodified or envelope-treated woods.

The acetylation process works by altering the chemical make-up within the wood’s cell wall, creating a marked improvement in durability, stability and hardness. Exceeding the high performance attributes of tropical hardwoods, Accoya is proven to withstand the harshest external environments.

Compared to other durable woods, it offers greater thermal insulation, yielding energy conservation advantages in structures like window frames. In addition, its superior stability means less frequent coatings and maintenance.

The stability of the timber will increase the lifespan of all external products. Typically, we would expect our hardwood products to last for 50 years in external service with maintenance adhered to. Accoya should add a further ten years to this service life. As you will note from some of the old windows and doors still in service in the UK, products can last significantly longer than these quoted figures if well maintained.

The hardness of the timber makes it less susceptible to denting or damage, and therefore increases the likelihood of maintaining the paint coating in the long-term. This, in turn, improves the longevity of the products.